Artistic Directors
1999 to Present - Yuri & Luba Grekov
Background
Since 1999, Yuri & Luba Grekov (graduates of the Virsky National Academy of Dance in Kyiv, Ukraine) have been the essential source of artistic and creative vision for Desna.
In addition to having comprehensive knowledge of Ukrainian dance, Yuri & Luba are professionally trained in international dances such as Spanish, Gypsy, Greek, Moldavian, Georgian and Mexican.
Yuri & Luba performed with Siberia’s Godenko Dance Company, Kyiv’s Virsky National Dance Company, Ukraine’s “Hopak” Ensemble and have toured across Europe and North America.
Winnipeg, MB
Upon first moving to Canada, Yuri & Luba became the choreographers directors of the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. They created a concert programme in collabration with Leo Mol (famed Ukrainian Sculptor) that Rusalka took on their Australia tour in 1996.
Simultaneously, they were teachers at the Vesnianka and Zoloto Ukrainian dance groups in Winnipeg.
Thunder Bay, ON
Yuri & Luba directed the Vesnynaka Dance Ensemble at the Ukrainian institute Prosvita from 1994 to 2007.
During this period they: Created 14 Ukrainian dance programmes and brought over various artirst from Ukraine including: Valery Samoylenko (Merited Artist of Ukraine) Ola Trinko and Vasyl Popadiuk to conducted in-depth workshops of song and dance.
Ukrainian Community Canada
Throught the 1990’s and 2000’s Yuri & Luba have contributed to the Ukrainian community in Canada, US and beyond:
Assisted Yuri Klufas with the creation of the first Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival - choreographing the opening and closing ceremonies.
2005 - Organised 100 jubilee Virsky concert in Toronto. During this concert the Ambassador Ukraine to Canada in conjunction with the Choreogrpahic assocaiaton of Ukraine, awarded Yuri a medal in the name of Pavlo Virksy.
Since 2014 they have helped with the running of the Chervoni Boots Summer dance camp.
2021 - 3 day intensive workshop teaching students of Brigham Young University’s (Utah, USA) dance school Ukrainian Dance.
International Summer School of Ukrainian Dance
Yuri & Luba established the International Summer School of Ukrainian Dance at the University of Arts and Culture and Virsky Dance Studios in Kyiv, Ukraine. This was a 2 week school which consisted of:
Worshops with Virsky-trained instructors to improve Ukrainian dancing skills.
Lenring Virsky dances from all the regions of Ukraine to explore the spirit of Ukrainian culture that was embodied in the very dances of Pavlo Virsky.
Exhibitions incuding Avramenko museum artefacts.
Guest Artists
Yuir & Luba also invited various artists from Ukraine to come to Canada and lead workshops, seminars and performances:
Vasyl Kolomyets
Merited artist of Ukraine and Virsky choreographer.Lylia Chernouts
Choreographer for the Ukrainian National Guard Dance Company.Eugene Chernov
Choreographer of Ukrainian Army Dance Company.Valery Smirnov
Choreographer of the Volyn Dance Company.TIK (Ukrainian Music group)
Yuri and Luba teach the Virsky style of Ukrainian dance, which encompasses in-depth ethnological knowledge and conveys the spirit and richness of Ukrainian heritage.
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Alexander Sokurenko, 1999
Valeria & Lesia Movtchan, 1996-1998
Alla Shapoval, 1996
Taras Pawluk, 1993-1995
Tami Pawluk, 1990-1992
Andryj Bachynskyj, 1988-1989
Mark Olynyk, 1979-1987
Darai Strohyj, 1977
Andy Malette, 1974-1979
Alexander Chmil, 1972-1976